Conceal-carry organizer for a personal protection device

ABSTRACT

The present invention generally relates to a conceal-carry organizer for a personal protection device. The organizer includes an insert with an internal pouch, which includes a hook-and-loop lining. A holster sized to receive the personal protection device (along with ammunition or a magazine) may be placed within the pouch to conceal the personal protection device. The holster further includes a surface with a hook-and-loop material that may be selectively engaged with the hook-and-loop lining to orient the personal protection device in a user-selected orientation. The pouch conceals the personal protection device and a locking mechanism provides an amount of controlled access to the personal protection device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a conceal-carry organizer for a personal protection device and methods of using the same, and more specifically to a lockable, conceal-carry organizer for a personal protection device and methods of using the same.

BACKGROUND

Some drawbacks of existing appliances to conceal a weapon include poor design and layout to safely store and access a concealed weapon while also providing a consistent vessel which is usable in a variety of situations and applications. There is also a drawback as many holsters are designed with strict utilitarian use as the driving factor, instead of practical useable vessels for women combined with design features. Women are a large and growing component of applications for concealed weapons permits and have limited options that combine multi-function and safety and consistency.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the present invention, an organizer for a personal protection device includes an insert defining a compartment; an internal pouch located within the insert, the internal pouch having a pouch lining made from a pouch hook-and-loop fastening material, the internal pouch defining a pouch compartment; a zipper coupled to the internal pouch, the zipper having a locking mechanism; a holster configured to hold the personal protection device, the holster having at least one holster surface made from a holster hook-and-loop fastening material, wherein the holster is attachable to the internal pouch in a user-selected orientation by the engagement of the pouch lining and the holster surface; and a key to lock or unlock the locking mechanism when inserting or removing the personal protection device, respectively, from the organizer.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for concealing a personal protection device includes the steps of (1) placing the personal protection device into a holster; (2) inserting the holster into a pouch of a conceal-carry organizer; (3) attaching the holster to the pouch in a user-selected orientation using hook-and-loop fastening material; (4) closing the pouch with a zipper mechanism; and (5) locking the zipper mechanism in a closed position using a locking mechanism coupled to the zipper mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings may not be necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles may not be drawn to scale, and some of these elements may be arbitrarily enlarged or positioned to improve drawing legibility. Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conceal-carry organizer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a holster and a personal protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of a locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of a key chain assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures associated with purses, handbags, brief cases, carriers, satchels, attaches, totes, inserts, and components and assemblies of the same, as well as methods of methods of making and using the same may not necessarily been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments of the invention.

In the description, the phrase “personal protection device” should be interpreted a broadly as possibly to include devices such as conceal-carry firearms, double-stack firearms, handguns, pistols, weapons, knives, pepper spray containers, electric tasers, and any other device that may be employed or be employable to protect or defend one's self or protect or defend another person or property. Further, the personal protection device may be used defensively, offensively or neutrally. Moreover, the personal protection device should be interpreted to include any type of ammunition, magazine, battery or anything else to make the personal protection device operable.

Many people, and particularly women, may find it challenging to carry and conceal the personal protection device in something like, but not limited to, a purse, handbag, briefcase or backpack that adequately conceals the personal protection device while providing safe, consistent, secure access for a variety of carrying devices. Some carrying devices include a pouch or pocket for a concealed weapon but are not transferrable and not lockable.

While on-body carry is often cited as preferred in most conceal carry instances, it is not always practical, comfortable or even possible, especially for many women. By way of example, a woman wearing an evening dress cannot conceal a personal protection device on her person, so she only has the option of carrying the personal protection device in a handbag or purse.

The present invention relates generally to the field of a conceal-carry insert or organizer that may fit into a carrying device such as, but not limited to, purses, handbags, backpacks, satchels and briefcases in which the conceal-carry organizer operates to conceal a personal protection device while providing a practical, transferrable method of carrying the personal protection device in a selected orientation and within a lockable compartment.

FIG. 1 shows an integrated conceal-carry organizer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In at least some embodiments, the conceal-carry organizer 100 includes an insert 102, an internal pouch 104 having a hook-and-loop (e.g., VELCRO®) lining 106 and an opening 108. A holster 110 capable of receiving a personal protection device 112 (along with ammunition or magazine (not shown)) may be placed within the pouch 104 to conceal the personal protection device 112 and the pouch 104 may have a locking mechanism 114 coupled to the pouch 104. The conceal-carry organizer 100 may further include handles 116, for example retractable handles, and one or more compartments 118.

In at least some embodiments, the conceal-carry organizer 100 is made from a durable material. The organizer 100 may have various walls that can be rigid and expandable, for example with an expansion panel that is collapsible to be stored or used in flat carrying devices. The exterior and interior of the organizer 100 may have various sizes and types of pockets, slots, zipped pouches and expandable flapped pockets that could hold function to hold additional ammunition or an additional ammo magazine.

FIG. 2 shows the holster 110 receiving the personal protection device 112 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The holster 110 is made from a durable material such as, but not limited to, a heavy nylon material, leather, etc. An attachment surface 119 of the holster 110 includes at least one hook-and-loop strip 120 for attaching the holster 110 to the hook-and-loop lining 106 (FIG. 1) of the internal pouch 104 (FIG. 1). The cooperation of the holster 110 and the lining 106 permit a user to place the holster 110, and thus the personal protection device 112, at any desired orientation.

The average time of an encounter or reacting to an encounter may be merely seconds and knowing the exact orientation of the personal protection device 108 permits quick access and peace of mind. The holster 110 and lining 106 permit repetitive and consistent placement of the personal protection device 112 so that it will be in the user's desired orientation, whether for a left or a right-handed draw. The holster 110 may come in various sizes and configurations to accommodate different types of personal protection devices 112.

FIG. 3 shows the locking mechanism 114 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The locking mechanism 114 includes a locking member 122 having a keyhole 124. The locking element 122 is coupled to a zipper 126 such that turning a key (not shown) in the keyhole 124 securely locks the locking element 122 onto the zipper when the zipper is in a closed configuration relative to the pouch 104 (FIG. 1). A pull tab 128 is coupled to the locking mechanism 114 and operates similar to a pull tab for a zipper. The holster 110 and the pouch 104 may have sufficient padding as to conceal the shape or contour of the personal protection device 112 when it is locked in the pouch 104.

FIG. 4 shows a key chain assembly 130 having a clip 132, a first key ring 134, a second key ring 136, a holder 138, and a key 140 that may be coupled to the second key ring 126 by one or more third key rings 142. The clip 130 may be clipped to the conceal-carry organizer 100 in a variety of locations, for example to a zipper tabor clasp. Referring back to FIG. 1, the key chain assembly 130 may be unclipped and then the key 140 may be utilized to lock or unlock the locking element 122 of the locking mechanism 114. The detachable key chain assembly 130 may hide the key 140 in the holder 138 so the key 140 will not be readily visible.

In some other embodiments, using the conceal-carry organizer 100 includes placing the personal protection device in its holster, attaching the holster to the lining of the internal pouch in an orientation preferably suited for your draw or retrieval of the personal protection device, closing the zipper so no one can see the personal protection device and locking the zipper. By selecting the orientation, the user may insure that the personal protection device is in the same position within any portable carrier, like a purse. In at least some embodiments, hook-and-loop holders for magazine clip may also fit within the internal pouch and be available in a variety of sizes.

The conceal-carry organizer 100 optionally allows a user to securely place it into a handbag and use it for all your personal needs. Retractable handles make it easy to lift the organizer out of the handbag or move it from one handbag to another.

In at least some embodiments, the organizer was developed and designed to consistently separate a concealed carry compartment that securely locks and conceals both lethal and non-lethal forms of personal protection. The holster cooperates with an internal pouch to allow users to adapt to their personal preference and directional draw while holding in a fixed position. The organizer may include other accessories such as, but not limited to, a wallet, pouches, pockets and compartments to hold personal items. The key chain assembly may include a hidden pouch to hold the keys to the locking element.

These and other changes can be made in light of the above detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all types of conceal-carry organizers and inserts, locking mechanisms, holsters, and key chain assemblies as well as methods of making, assembling and using the same that operate in accordance with the claims. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the disclosure, but instead its scope is to be determined entirely by the following claims 

1. An organizer for a personal protection device, the organizer comprising: an insert defining a compartment; an internal pouch located within the insert, the internal pouch having a pouch lining made from a pouch hook-and-loop fastening material, the internal pouch defining a pouch compartment; a zipper coupled to the internal pouch, the zipper having a locking mechanism; a holster configured to hold the personal protection device, the holster having at least one holster surface made from a holster hook-and-loop fastening material, wherein the holster is attachable to the internal pouch in a user-selected orientation by the engagement of the pouch lining and the holster surface; and a key to lock or unlock the locking mechanism when inserting or removing the personal protection device, respectively, from the organizer.
 2. The organizer of claim 1, further comprising a pair of retractable handles coupled to the organizer.
 3. The organizer of claim 1, further comprising a key chain assembly for storing the key.
 4. The organizer of claim 1, wherein the holster is made from a nylon or leather material.
 5. The organizer of claim 1, wherein the organizer includes one or more compartments for holding personal items.
 6. The organizer of claim 1, further comprising a magazine holder attachable to the internal pouch.
 7. The organizer of claim 3, wherein the key chain assembly includes a clip for attaching to or detaching from the organizer.
 8. A method for concealing a personal protection device, the method comprising: placing the personal protection device into a holster; inserting the holster into a pouch of a conceal-carry organizer; attaching the holster to the pouch in a user-selected orientation using hook-and-loop fastening material; closing the pouch with a zipper mechanism; locking the zipper mechanism in a closed position using a locking mechanism coupled to the zipper mechanism.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising placing the conceal-carry organizer into a handbag. 